TRAN Committee approves technical pillar of Fourth Railway Package

13 Nov 2015

EUROPE: Meeting on November 10, the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport & Tourism approved the trialogue agreement between Parliament, the Commission and Council covering the technical pillar of the Fourth Railway Package.

The technical pillar incorporates three legislative measures intended to remove technical obstacles to cross-border operations and expedite operator and rolling stock certification processes. It is seen as less controversial than the political pillar of the package, for which negotiations are still underway.

Under the technical pillar, the ERA would become a 'one-stop shop' for certification and type approval of all vehicles to be used on cross-border services. However, for services within one member state, operators and manufacturers would have a choice of applying to either ERA or existing national safety authorities.

The new regime would become operational three years after the rules are agreed by the European Parliament, Council and Commission and enter into force.